Abstract

Objectives

The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence of renal function and liver enzyme abnormalities among HIV&#8208;infected children, changes in prevalence with time on combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), and the factors associated with these abnormalities.

Methods

A prospective cohort study was conducted among HIV&#8208;infected children < 18 years old (n = 705) who were on first&#8208;line cART. Liver enzymes, renal function, haematology, immunology and virological response were assessed at enrolment and followed bi&#8208;annually for 18 months. Liver fibrosis and cirrhosis were assessed using noninvasive markers including the aspartate aminotransferase (AST) to platelet ratio index (APRI) and fibrosis score (FIB&#8208;4).

Conclusions

A high prevalence of liver enzyme and renal function abnormalities was observed at enrolment. Decreasing liver enzyme levels during follow&#8208;up are possibly reassuring, while the progressive reduction in GFR and the increase in BUN are worrisome and require further study.